Health News 02/2013

WASHINGTON | Fri Feb 1, 2013 12:06am EST. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Only 11 of the 50 U.S. states have moved to implement new consumer safeguards under President Barack Obama's healthcare law, raising questions about how major health ...(Feb 1, 2013, Reuters)

Hedgehogs linked to salmonella

New York --. Add those cute little hedgehogs to the list of pets that can make you sick. In the last year, 20 people were infected by a rare but dangerous form of salmonella bacteria, and one person died in January. The illnesses were linked to contact with ...(Feb 1, 2013, San Francisco Chronicle)

Doing Housework May Not Help Husbands In The Bedroom

As gender roles have changed and been rewritten over the last several decades, women have taken on more traditionally masculine roles and men have taken on some female roles in the household. It's a very egalitarian change; however, a new study says ...(Feb 1, 2013, Cinema Blend)

Soldiers try to regain sleep patterns after combat

Army Capt. David Raines is home in Lacey with his family, but he sleeps like he's still deployed in Afghanistan. The 35-year-old officer manages only a few hours of rest each night. ADAM ASHTON; Staff writer. ADAM ASHTON. Published: Feb. 1, 2013 at ...(Feb 1, 2013, TheNewsTribune.com)

Rick Scott: Still Too Many Questions Remain on Federal Health Care Law

Gov. Rick Scott isn't ready to embrace the federal health care law, at least not yet. In releasing his $74.2 billion spending plan and agenda for 2013 on Thursday, Scott proposes the state cover individuals now eligible for Medicaid coverage but not currently on ...(Feb 1, 2013, Sunshine State News)

5 Things: Triaminic Recalled After Kids Remove 'Childproof' Caps

1. Triaminic Recall: The pharmaceutical company that makes Triaminic and Theraflu recalled 2.3 million units of cold and cough syrups after four children opened the child-resistant caps and accidentally ingested the medication themselves. The child-resistant ...(Feb 1, 2013, Patch.com)

The ABCs of Heart Health

February is American Heart Health month, and we here at ABC News are, well, taking it to heart. That's why all this month we'll be featuring stories and hosting events that highlight many different aspects of heart health and heart disease prevention and ...(Feb 1, 2013, ABC News)

Today is National Wear Red Day! - The Birmingham News

Today is the day! Put on your red apparel, attach your Red Dress pin and help us spread the message of Go Red For Women and American Heart Month. Here are some facts and stats to remember today: GRFWspnsr_logo_2013.jpg View full size Today is ...(Feb 1, 2013, al.com (blog))

US Military Personnel Affected by Sleep Disorders

There has been a high occurrence of sleeping disorders within the U.S. military personnel, a recent study reveals. Lt. Col. Vincent Mysliwiec, M.D., was the main investigator and lead author of the study, and chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep ...(Feb 1, 2013, Counsel & Heal)

Researchers turn to Twitter to track the flu

(Relaxnews)—Flu sufferers are turning out in droves to post about their illness on Twitter, and researchers are using the tweets to gather data on how the illness is increasing or ebbing state to state in the US. "This new work demonstrates that Twitter posts can ...(Feb 1, 2013, Boston.com)

In the dark on doctor perks

Though few patients realize it, many doctors receive thousands of dollars from pharmaceutical companies for each patient enrolled in an experimental drug trial. The medication might be the best thing for the patient's condition. The doctor's motives might be ...(Feb 1, 2013, Los Angeles Times)

The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement is about taking action. Since we launched Go Red 10 years ago, we have shared a very clear and unwavering message with women: Be proactive. Take control of your heart health. If you don't, ...(Feb 1, 2013, Huffington Post (blog))

Victoria's Secret Mulls 'Survivor Bra'

Allana Maiden, a 27-year-old from Virginia whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, discovered the power of people who care on Thursday when she and her mother were given an audience with the giant fashion chain Victoria's Secret. She and her mother, ...(Feb 1, 2013, ABC News)

Scott doesn't rule out Medicaid expansion

Gov. Rick Scott has an upcoming meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kevin Gale: Editor in Chief- South Florida Business Journal: Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook. Gov. Rick Scott is taking a wait and see attitude towards the ...(Feb 1, 2013, South Florida Business Journal (blog))

February is American Heart Month

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer for Americans. One in three deaths is caused by heart attack or stroke, amounting to about 800,000 fatalities each year. Even if one survives a heart attack or stroke, the condition often leads to disabilities and ...(Feb 1, 2013, U.S. News & World Report)

Goodbye, high-fat chips: New rules for school snacks

New government proposals would set limits on calories, fat and sugar in some school foods. School vending machine. The government released standards for snacks sold in school vending machines. (Photo: Mike Hutmacher, The Wichita Eagle, via AP) ...(Feb 1, 2013, USA TODAY)

Some California physicians providing out-of-network medical care bill patients at rates far beyond what Medicare allows, a new report from a health insurance trade group shows. The national survey released Friday by America's Health Insurance Plans is part ...(Feb 1, 2013, Los Angeles Times)

Flu epidemic waning nationwide, CDC says

There are currently three main flu strains circulating nationwide, with H3N2 the predominant one. It appears to be especially dangerous for the elderly. Sacramento flu clinic. Sitting on the lap of his mother, Cindy Martinez, 9-year-old Darrell Taylor grimaces as ...(Feb 1, 2013, USA TODAY)

Pet hedgehogs source of salmonella

Add those cute little hedgehogs to the list of pets that can make you sick. In the last year, 20 people were infected by a rare but dangerous form of salmonella bacteria, and one person died in January. The illnesses were linked to contact with hedgehogs kept ...(Feb 1, 2013, CBC.ca)

Zoloft No Better Than Dummy Pill, Says Lawsuit

The maker of Zoloft (Sertraline hydrochloride), Pfizer Inc., is being sued in a consumer class action suit, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, before Magistrate Judge Paul Singh Grewal, which alleges ...(Feb 1, 2013, Medical News Today)

Durex offers to deliver condoms to doorsteps in Dubai

Caught up in the moment? Durex and creative agency Buzzman are trying to make sure there's no excuse to not to use protection by offering to deliver condoms right to your door -- if you live in Dubai. The SOS Condom app and website uses location-based ...(Feb 1, 2013, CBS News)

Novartis Recalls Triaminic And Theraflu Cough Syrups

The Consumer Products Safety Commission says that "child-resistant" caps on some bottles of cough and flu syrup aren't as sturdy as advertised. That's a problem, because products implicated in the agency's latest recall announcement — Triaminic and ...(Feb 1, 2013, NPR (blog))

Sonic the Hedgehog had a secret: Salmonella

Cuddly hedgehogs are wreaking havoc by spreading salmonella. Twenty people have fallen ill from handling them in the last year. (Stefan Sauer/AFP/Getty Images). What do you think? Turns out the wily Sonic the Hedgehog had a little secret: he may have ...(Feb 1, 2013, GlobalPost (blog))

Flu outbreak remains high, but waning, CDC says

This season's outbreak of flu continues to be high -- especially among the elderly and the young -- but appears to be waning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. Flu-like illnesses appeared to be falling in the East but rising in the ...(Feb 1, 2013, Los Angeles Times)

Obamacare affects your 2012 tax return

Tax professionals say millions of people will be affected by changes in the tax code this season because of the Affordable Health Care Act. "It's going to affect their refund then this is critical to the taxpayer," said tax preparer Dorothy Brashier. After preparing ...(Feb 1, 2013, 12NewsNow.Com)

Report challenges weight-loss myths

A recent study released in the New England Journal of Medicine dispels some weight-loss myths. Debbie Lee believes she understands the mindset of someone wanting to lose weight. Having been Gainesville Health and Fitness Center's marketing director ...(Feb 1, 2013, WUFT)

Veggies Are Good for the Heart

Vegetarians are less likely to develop ischemic heart disease than those who eat meat, a study found. Note that the difference was likely due to vegetarians' lower levels of non-HDL cholesterol and lower systolic blood pressure. Vegetarians are less likely to ...(Feb 1, 2013, MedPage Today)

Rules call for swing to healthier snacks in schools

By Susan Heavey and Charles Abbott. WASHINGTON | Fri Feb 1, 2013 6:29pm EST. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Snacks sold in U.S. schools would need to be lower in fat, salt and sugar and include more nutritious items like fruits, vegetables and whole grains ...(Feb 1, 2013, Reuters)

CMS Issues Sunshine Rule

WASHINGTON -- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a long-awaited rule Friday finalizing the details for a database that will list payments made to physicians by pharmaceutical and device manufacturers. "You should know when your ...(Feb 1, 2013, MedPage Today)

Flu Still Flexing Its Muscle in Western States

Influenza continues to wane on a nationwide basis, but don't tell that to residents of the Western United states. Of the 24 states reporting high levels of influenza-like illness (ILI), 19 were west of the Mississippi River during week 4 of 2013 ending January 26, ...(Feb 2, 2013, Medscape)

US Releases New Rules For School Snack Foods

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Friday released its long-awaited nutritional guidelines for snack foods sold in schools, an effort to combat the expanding waistlines of school-age children. The guidelines come a year after the administration ...(Feb 2, 2013, New York Times)

Salmonella linked to hedgehogs

Three people in Minnesota have fallen ill with salmonella, part of a national outbreak that health authorities have linked to pet hedgehogs. Officials have confirmed 20 cases in eight states since December 2011, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and ...(Feb 2, 2013, Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Flu Virus: Elderly Are More Vulnerable

The flu virus is unfortunately still going strain and the most dangerous strain is the H3N2 which is particularly dangerous for the elderly. This week alone the number of people older than 65 who died from a confirmed case of influenza has sky-rocketed to 116 ...(Feb 2, 2013, Counsel & Heal)

Consumer Reports Now Grading Cancer Screening Tests

(Photo : Reuters) A technician positions a woman at an imaging machine to receive a mammogram in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters Nov. 21, 2012. Consumer Reports have been the go-to-guide for shoppers when they buying anything from ...(Feb 2, 2013, Science World Report)

Consider this: “Durex rolls out condom app and delivery service.” A headline on the popular parody news site The Onion? Nope, it's a recent headline on Los Angeles Times. An April Fools' joke, then? Nope, April Fools' Day is still a couple of months away, ...(Feb 2, 2013, AppAdvice)

February is American Heart Health Month

URBANA, IL – As Valentine's Day approaches, our thoughts center on affairs of the heart, and our minds are filled with visions of chocolates, flowers, and special meals. Let's not forget, though, that the care of our physical heart is every bit as important, said a ...(Feb 2, 2013, Farmers Advance)

The Food and Drug Administration has approved glycerol phenylbutyrate (Ravicti) for the treatment of the rare hereditary conditions known as urea cycle disorders. These potentially deadly disorders result from deficiencies in the enzymes responsible for ...(Feb 2, 2013, MedPage Today)

Super Bowl Calories: How Much Exercise It Would Take To Burn Off Those Snacks

Watching the Super Bowl is basically as American as celebrating Thanksgiving -- and we eat nearly as much. That's right, Super Bowl Sunday is second only to Turkey Day when it comes to stuffing ourselves silly. In fact, the average Super Bowl fan will eat ...(Feb 2, 2013, Huffington Post)

USDA Releases New Guidelines For School Snacks

In an effort to provide students with more access to healthy food, on Friday the USDA released its proposed guidelines for nutritional standards for snack foods sold in schools. According to The New York Times, the new guidelines would limit the amount of fat, ...(Feb 2, 2013, The Daily meal)

Influenza Wants You

This time of year, many internists notice a drop-off in patient visits. We take care of a lot of older people, many of whom flee to warmer climates for the winter. This year, though, business hasn't let up. In addition to the usual coughs and colds, we are dealing ...(Feb 2, 2013, Forbes)

Sunday Dialogue: Treating the Mentally Ill

Discussing a psychiatrist's objections to mandated treatment. To the Editor: Recent tragic events have linked mental illness and violence. Some people — I, for one — consider this link dangerously stigmatizing. People with mental illness are far more likely to ...(Feb 2, 2013, New York Times)

Doctors' group supports Medicaid expansion, with conditions

The largest group of Texas doctors, after months of internal disagreement about a major piece of the federal health care overhaul, on Saturday conditionally endorsed expansion of the state's Medicaid program. Trustees of the Texas Medical Association ...(Feb 2, 2013, Dallas Morning News (blog))

Flu outbreak downgraded in Alabama

The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 42 states are experiencing widespread flu activity, down from 47 last week. One state that was downgraded was Alabama. Cases on the East coast are also dwindling, but are rising ...(Feb 2, 2013, Alabama's13.com)

Medicaid appears off-limits to talk of budget cuts

WASHINGTON — Healthcare for the nation's poor, once viewed as especially vulnerable in this era of budget cutting, has emerged as a surprisingly secure government entitlement with as much political clout as the Medicare and Social Security retirement ...(Feb 3, 2013, Los Angeles Times)

LI hospitals can ill-afford low patient satisfaction scores

Long Island hospitals score among the lowest nationally in how satisfied patients are with their experience, a situation that could now cost them big money. As of Oct. 1, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), as part of the Affordable ...(Feb 3, 2013, Newsday)

New Strain of Norovirus — the Winter Vomiting Bug — On the Rise

Although the flu is on everyone's minds this season, the winter vomiting bug, or the norovirus, is making its rounds. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the norovirus causes about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths ...(Feb 3, 2013, Patch.com)

Dentists put smile on kids' faces

A group of about 65 students from 17 different schools throughout the Forsyth County school system took a special field trip Friday. The children, who ranged in grade from elementary to high school, took part in Give Kids a Smile Day. The national event ...(Feb 3, 2013, Forsyth County News Online)